The Regulation Journal

One of the questions I’ve always wanted Caleb to ask himself is this:Why have I always felt so drawn to older men, older brother figures, and father-figure stories?

It’s a question that doesn’t have a simple answer, and maybe that’s what makes it so interesting.

For years, Caleb noticed a pattern in his life. Whenever he read a novel, watched a movie, or met someone whose kindness reminded him of an older brother or mentor, something about those relationships resonated with him. They represented stability, guidance, patience, and the feeling that someone genuinely wanted to see him succeed.

That curiosity eventually became part of his own story.

In my novel, Caleb becomes an actor almost by accident. Although he’s talented and earns the respect of the people he works with, he never truly enjoys being part of the entertainment industry. The attention, the pressure, and the public life never feel like home.During the filming of one movie, however, something unexpected happens.

The film’s director hires Caleb because he recognizes his talent. At first, their relationship is purely professional. But over time, especially after Caleb turns eighteen, they begin spending time together outside of work. What starts as mentorship gradually becomes a meaningful friendship built on trust, honesty, and mutual respect.

For six years, that friendship becomes one of the most important relationships in Caleb’s life.Then another chapter begins.

After years of separation, Caleb finds his two older brothers.Suddenly, he has the opportunity to build the relationships he had imagined for so long. He experiences what it means to have older siblings who know him, challenge him, and stand beside him. It doesn’t erase the years they lost, but it gives them a chance to build something new together.

As these relationships grow, Caleb can’t help but ask himself another difficult question.

Was I always searching for these connections because my relationship with my father was so complicated?He doesn’t know.

He isn’t sure there will ever be one clear answer.

Some experiences leave us with questions instead of conclusions.

Rather than judging his past, Caleb chooses to acknowledge it honestly. He recognizes that complicated family relationships can shape the people we admire, the stories we connect with, and the kinds of relationships that make us feel understood.

For Caleb, older brother figures and mentors are not replacements for family. Instead, they represent qualities he values deeply: kindness, emotional availability, wisdom, encouragement, and the willingness to show up for someone else.

Perhaps that’s why these stories continue to matter so much to himSometimes the people we’re drawn to tell us something about the qualities we hope to find in our own lives.

And sometimes the questions we continue asking are just as meaningful as the answers we eventually discover.